However, the situation in Greece is different. Tough the sea crossing is not as dangerous as that between Libya and Europe, due to the shorter distances, the rescue effort there far more limited. The coastguard, like other agencies across the country, is suffering from funding shortages as a consequence of Greece’s collapsing financial situation.

The relatively short distance is also seeing migrants taking greater risks, often attempting to cross on very small inflatable boats.

However, UNHCR Greece spokesperson Stella Nanou told Migrant Report the root cause of this situation was ultimately the fact that migrants have no other choice.

“This is a refugee crisis. The people crossing to Greece are not migrants but refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and even Somalia. They are fleeing war and conflict,” she said.

“So they will take the trip on the rickety boats, they will approach the smugglers, because they do not really have any other option… certainly no legal means with which to enter Europe.”

She argued that even though the migrants are coming from a stable neighbour, the reality is that Turkey is carrying more than its fair share of refugees and this then has an impact on these country’s capacity to host people.

“There are presently some 4million Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon… When you compare this to the number of refugees reaching Europe, they pale in comparison,” Nanou said.